TAMPER-EVIDENT LID FOR A CONTAINER

Abstract

A lid and a combination of a tub and the lid, the lid comprising a web and a circumferential skirt depending thereon; wherein the skirt comprises at least one tab, a first retention tooth and a second retention tooth, the first retention tooth being molded on an inner surface of the tab; and wherein for positioning the lid in a first closed position on the tub, the first and the second retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub by applying a pressure on the lid; when first opening the tub once the lid is in the first closed position, the tab is broken free from the skirt into a position of the tab in which the tab remains pivotably attached to the skirt, and the tab is pulled, causing disengagement of the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub, the second retention tooth acting as a pivoting axis for the lid.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/109,915, filed on Nov. 5, 2020. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to tamper-evident tubs. More specifically, the present disclosure is concerned with a tamper-evident lid for a tub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tamper indicators are used in product tubs so that users know if the product has been tampered with prior to first opening of the tubs. Tamper-evident lids typically require that the tamper indicator be removed, and generally discarded separately, after first opening. Generally, tamper indicators are not designed to prevent tampering, but to indicate whether tampering has occurred.

There is still a need in the art for a tamper-evident lid for a tub.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a combination of a tub and a lid, the lid comprising a web and a circumferential skirt depending thereon; wherein the skirt comprises at least one tab, a first retention tooth and a second retention tooth, the first retention tooth being molded on an inner surface of the tab; and wherein for positioning the lid in a first closed position on the tub, the first and the second retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub by applying a pressure on the lid; when first opening the tub once the lid is in the first closed position, the tab is broken free from the skirt into a position of the tab in which the tab remains pivotably attached to the skirt, and the tab is pulled, causing disengagement of the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub, the second retention tooth acting as a pivoting axis for the lid.

There is further provided a lid for a tub, the lid comprising a skirt, a first retention tooth on a tab defined on the skirt by lines of weakness, and a second retention tooth on the skirt; wherein, in a first closed position of the lid on top of the tub prior to first opening of the tub, the first and the second retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub; and wherein, from the first closed position, the skirt is broken along the lines of weakness by pulling on the tab, the tab remaining pivotably connected to the lid, and pulling on the tab disengages the first retention tooth from the top lip of the tub, and pivots the lid about the second retention tooth away from the top of the tub and, in a continuous movement in one single motion, disengagement of the second retention tooth from the top lip of the tub.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of combination of a tub and a lid, with the lid in place on top of the tub, according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B side view of the tub of the combination of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a perspective bottom view of the lid of the combination of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a perspective side view of the lid of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1E is a partial side section view of the combination of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1F shows a partial section view of the lid of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 1G shows a close-up of a lid according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective bottom view of the combination of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2B is a section view of an inside surface of the lid of FIG. 1C;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the combination of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4A is the perspective view of combination FIG. 1A with a tab of the lid thereof pivoted upward according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B shows the combination of FIG. 4A upon further pivoting of the lid upward;

FIG. 5 is a partial side section view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6C is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6D is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a partial section view of a retention teeth according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a partial section view of is a partial section view of a retention teeth according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7C is a partial section view of a retention teeth according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a partial section view of top lip of a tub according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a partial section view of top lip of a tub according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8C is a partial section view of top lip of a tub according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8D is a partial section view of top lip of a tub according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8E is a partial section view of top lip of a tub according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8F is a partial section view of top lip of a tub according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a perspective bottom view of a lid according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a perspective top view of the lid of FIG. 9A; and

FIG. 9C is a perspective front view of a tub according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 shows a tab of a lid according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A combination according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure comprises a lid and a tub; the lid has a shape configured for engagement with the tub as described hereinbelow.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the tub 5 and the lid 4 have a generally rectangular shape with four corner curved portions C. The tub 5 comprises a bottom wall B and a circumferential side wall S extending up from the bottom wall B to the upper edge E of the side wall S, defining an open top T of the tub 5 (see FIG. 1B). An outwardly-projecting lip extend along the upper edge E of the side wall S on the conference of the side wall.

The lid 4 comprises a web 40, with an end-wall 31 on an outer perimeter thereof, of a shape generally spanning the open top T of the tub 5 (see for example in FIG. 1D). A circumferential skirt 41 extends from the end-wall 31, generally perpendicularly to the web 40, as shown for example in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3, 4, 5), and comprises at least one tab 1. The inner surface 42 of the skirt 41 comprises a first retention tooth 2, and a second retention tooth 3 positioned generally opposite the first retention tooth 2 on the circumference of the skirt 41 (FIGS. 1C, 9A).

In a closed position prior to first opening, the first and second retention teeth 2, 3 are engaged under the tub top lip 8 when the lid 4 is in position over the open top T of the tub 5. The tab 1 of length 7 (see FIG. 1A) is defined by a line of weakness generally pointed in the figures as 30 (see for example in FIG. 1D). The line of weakness 30 may be lines of reduced thickness for example or lines scored at least in part along a length thereof, in the outer surface 44, or in the inner surface 42 of the skirt 41 (not shown) in such a way that it is not visible to a user from the outside of the lid when the lid is in the closed position on top of the tub prior to the first opening of the tub, or molded from both inner and outer surfaces of the skirt 41. The line of weakness 30 as illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 2B for example comprises two L-shape portions, one on each side of the tab 1 on the outer surface 44 of the skirt 41, each L-shape portion having a long leg running from each side of the tab 1 along a length 45 of the skirt 41 and a short leg of a length 47 running from the end of the long leg down along the height 43 of the skirt 41. Each portion of line of weakness thus extends on a respective lateral side of the tab 1. In FIGS. 1D and 2B the length 45 of the long legs and the length 47 of the short legs are lines of a thickness reduced from the thickness of the skirt 41.

To close the tub 5, the lid 4 is positioned over the open top T of the tub 5, the first and second retention teeth 2, 3 are engaged under the top lip 8 of the tub 5 by applying a pressure on the lid 4. To open the tub once the lid is thus retained on top of the tub (see FIG. 1E), the tab is broken free from the skirt 41 along the line of weakness 30, i.e. along the length 45 of the long legs and the length 47 of the short legs on each side of the tab 1 in FIGS. 1D and 2B for example, the tab 1 remaining attached to the skirt, and pulled away and upwards (see arrow in FIG. 1E; FIG. 5), thereby disengaging the first retention tooth 2 from under the top lip 8 of the tub 5, and upon continued pulling on the tab 1, pivoting the lid, and disengaging the second retention tooth 3 from under the top lip 8 of the tub (FIG. 4B) to completely open the tub and remove the lid if desired.

As shown in FIG. 4, once the skirt 41 is broken along the line of weakness 30, the tab 1 with the first retention tooth thereon is freed on both sides while still attached to the skirt 41 on a top edge of length 7 of the tab 1 and the tab 1 becomes pivotable in relation to the skirt 41 about the top edge, which acts as a live-hinge 17 (see FIG. 4). Pivoting the tab 1 disengages the first retention tooth 2 from under the tub top lip 8, and then the tab 1 can be used as a grip to lift the lid 4 and further disengage the second retention tooth 3 from under the top lip 8 of the tub, in a single-opening motion as described hereinabove. FIG. 4 shows the tab 1 being pivoted up and the first retention tooth 2 being disengaged from under the tub top lip 8, with the live-hinge 17 created upon breaking the line of weakness 30 allowing a pivoting upward motion of the tab 1. Once disengaged from under the top lip of the tub upon first opening, the first retention tooth 2, as part of the tab 1, remains attached to the skirt by the live-hinge 17. The first retention tooth 2 acts as a retention element before the first opening and as an indicator element (part of tab 1) following the opening.

The position and geometry of the line of weakness 30 and the position of formation of the live-hinge 17 are selected to generate a localised and precise tearing of the skirt 41 and pivoting movement of the tab 1, while preventing weakening of the live hinge 17 upon use, and retention of the tab 1 on the skirt 41. FIG. 1F shows a section view of the lid into the line of weakness 30. The line of weakness 30 may be formed by a reduced thickness of the material from the outer surface 44 of the skirt 41 of the lid 4 a described hereinabove. The line of weakness 30 may be delimited by at least a starting rib 9 of a larger thickness, and may be continued on at least one side of the starting rib 9 (see FIGS. 1F, 2B), to ensure precise positioning and initiation of the tearing of the skirt 41, and finished on a stop rib (not shown), on the same surface of the skirt as the line of weakness 30 or on the opposite surface of the skirt.

The first retention tooth 2 and the second retention tooth 3 are integrally molded into the skirt 41 and configured to engage under the tub top lip 8, so that the lid 4 cannot be removed from the top of the tub 5 without disengaging them.

The second retention tooth 3 is positioned generally opposite the position of the skirt 41 which is torn upon first opening, i.e. opposite the first retention tooth 2 on the skirt 41, and allows pivoting movement of the lid once the first retention tooth is disengaged from the top lip of the tub as described hereinabove. The second retention tooth 3 may also be molded as part of a second retention tab (not shown). More than one second retention tooth may be provided, depending on the geometry of the tub and its open top; to increase retention on a tub of a larger size for example, separate secondary retention teeth may be provided on the lid opposite the first retention tooth.

Following the first opening, the lid may be repositioned and hold in place by reengagement of the second retention tooth under the top lip of the container. As shown in FIGS. 1C, 1F, 2A for example, secondary retention ribs 15 (see FIG. 1C) may be provided on the inner surface 42 of the skirt 41, for retention of the lid 5 after first opening.

The first retention tooth 2 illustrated in FIG. 2B for example, integrally molded into the inner surface 27 of the tab 1, comprises a bottom wall 23 at an angle relative to the normal of the inner surface of the tab 1 thereby providing a ramp surface, and side walls 25, thereby forming a protrusion inward from the inner surface 27 of the tab 1. The tooth 2 is shown with a top wall 21 generally perpendicular to the inner surface of the tab 1 in FIG. 2B. In FIG. 10, the retention tooth 2 of the tab 1 comprises a reinforcing wall 26 (FIG. 10), for increased rigidity of the tooth. Other shape providing a ramp surface may be contemplated, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the ramp surface allowing positioning and locking of the lid 4 in the closed position on top of the tub 5 after first filing prior to first opening in such a way as to engage the tooth 2 below the top lip 8 of the tub rim without tearing the skirt 41 along the weakness line 30. The tooth 2 may be a hollow tooth as illustrated herein, for purpose of reducing the amount of material. A hollow tooth may have an open top (not shown) and be reinforced by reinforcing walls 26.

The second retention tooth 3 illustrated in FIG. 1G, integrally molded on the inner surface 42 of the skirt 41, comprises side walls 55 and a bottom wall at an angle relative to the normal of the inner surface 42 of the skirt 42 selected to form a ramp surface 53, thereby forming a protrusion inward from the inner surface 42 of the skirt 41 as shown in FIG. 1C. The tooth 3 is shown with a top wall 51 generally perpendicular to the inner surface of the skirt 41 in FIG. 1G. Other shape providing a ramp surface may be contemplated, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the ramp surface allowing positioning and locking of the lid 4 in the closed position on top of the tub in such a way as to engage the tooth 3 below the top lip 8 of the tub rim. The tooth 3 may be a hollow tooth, for purpose of reducing the amount of material. A hollow tooth may have an open top and be reinforced by reinforcing walls (not shown).

The line of weakness 30 was described hereinabove with a L-shape; other shapes may be contemplated (FIG. 6). The line of weakness may comprise for example a single straight vertical line on each side of the tab 1 (FIG. 6A), or a plurality of straight lines (FIG. 6B), or a single curved line (FIG. 6C), or a straight oblique line (FIG. 6D), or a combination of straight and curved lines (not shown).

The top lip 8 of the tub may be a generally round lip (see FIG. 1B, FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C for example). Different shapes may be contemplated, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 8D-8F.

The lid as illustrated herein is an integrally molded plastic one-piece lid. Alternatively, composite lid comprising a molded skirt and a fused paperboard web may be contemplated. The tub may be made of paperboard or in molded plastic or other materials.

The tub and lid combination is illustrated herein in a rectangular or oval geometry; referred to in the art as “non-round”; other geometries may be contemplated, such as round, rectangular and square. Rounds combination are illustrated for example in FIG. 9.

As people in the art will now be in a position to appreciate, the lid of the present combination comprises non-detachable tamper-evident elements, in such a way that the combination may be reused after first opening, allowing opening et reclosing of the lid. The lid comprises a tab, a first retention tooth and an opposite retention tooth 3, and opening is done by lifting the tab to initiate a pivoting movement of the lid causing disengagement of the first retention tooth upon first opening and, in sequence, disengagement of the second retention tooth in a continuous movement in one single motion, in absence of detached parts that would need to be disposed of, thereby reducing littering.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A combination of a tub and a lid, the lid comprising a web and a circumferential skirt depending thereon; wherein the skirt comprises at least one tab, a first retention tooth and a second retention tooth;

wherein the first retention tooth is molded on an inner surface of the tab; and

wherein:

i) for positioning the lid in a first closed position on the tub, the first and the second retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub by applying a pressure on the lid;

ii) when first opening the tub once the lid is in the first closed position, the tab is broken free from the skirt into a position of the tab in which the tab remains pivotably attached to the skirt, and the tab is pulled, causing disengagement of the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub, the second retention tooth acting as a pivoting axis for the lid.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein:

iii) further pulling on the tab pivots the lid up and away from the tub until disengagement of the second retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub; and

iii) once the tub is thus first opened, the lid is replaceable in a closed position by applying a pressure on the lid to reengage the second retention tooth under the top lip of the tub.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the skirt further comprises at least one secondary retention rib on an inner surface thereof; and wherein:

iii) further pulling on the tab pivots the lid up and away from the tub until disengagement of the second retention tooth from the top lip of the tub; and

iv) once the tub is thus first opened, the lid is replaceable in the closed position by applying a pressure on the lid to reengage the second retention tooth and the at least one secondary retention rib under the top lip of the tub.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth and the tab are integrally molded in the skirt.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tab is defined by a line of weakness in the skirt prior to first opening of the tub, the line of weakness is broken when first opening the tub by pulling the tab.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tab is defined by a line of weakness in the skirt prior to first opening of the tub, the line of weakness is broken when first opening the tub by pulling the tab, and the lid becomes pivotable about the second retention tooth until disengagement of the second retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein, from the open position of the tub, the second retention teeth engages under the top lip of the tub by applying a pressure on the lid.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein, from the first closed position, the first retention teeth disengages from the top lip of the tub by detaching the tab from the skirt into a pivotable position in which the tab, further pulled, initiates a pivoting movement of the lid, the pivoting motion of the lid under further pulling the tab causing disengagement of the second retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein, from the first closed position prior to first opening of the tub, pulling the tab causes breaking the skirt along a line of weakness initially defining the tab on the skirt and detaching the tab from the skirt, thereby disengaging the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub, into a position in which the tab, still connected to the skirt by a resulting live-hinge, is further pulled to disengage the second retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub.

10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth is positioned generally opposite the first retention tooth on the skirt.

11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first retention tooth comprises a bottom wall at an angle relative to a normal to an inner surface of the tab.

12. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first retention tooth is a hollow tooth.

13. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth comprises a bottom wall at an angle relative to a normal to an inner surface of the tab.

14. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth is a hollow tooth.

15. The combination of claim 1, wherein the lid is a one-piece lid, integrally made of molded plastic.

16. The combination of claim 1, wherein the skirt is molded and the web is a paperboard web.

17. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tub is made in one of: i) paperboard and ii) plastic.

18. The combination of claim 1, wherein the combination has one of a rectangular geometry, an oval geometry, a round geometry, and a square geometry.

19. A lid for a tub, the lid comprising a skirt, a first retention tooth on a tab defined on the skirt by lines of weakness, and a second retention tooth on the skirt;

wherein, in a first closed position of the lid on top of the tub prior to first opening, the first and the second retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub; and

wherein, from the first closed position, the skirt is broken along the lines of weakness by pulling on the tab, the tab remaining pivotably connected to the lid, pulling on the tab disengages the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub, and pivots the lid about the second retention tooth away from the top of the tub until disengagement of the second retention tooth from the top lip of the tub.

20. The tamper-evident lid of claim 19, wherein the skirt further comprises at least one secondary retention rib on an inner surface thereof; and once the tub is opened, the lid is positioned in a closed position by applying a pressure on the lid to reengage the second retention tooth and the at least one secondary retention rib under the top lip of the tub.